Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge drew flak from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after he likened Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ‘Ravana’. The remark has triggered a political row in the middle of the Gujarat election campaign.
Addressing a public rally in Gujarat, Mallikarjun Kharge slammed BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked if PM Modi has 100 heads as he’s visible in every election.
“Modi ji is Prime Minister. Forgetting his work, he keeps campaigning in corporation elections, MLA elections, MP elections, everywhere… All the time he’s talking about himself – ‘You don’t have to see anyone else, just look at Modi and vote’. How many times do we see your face? How many forms do you have? Do you have 100 heads like Ravan?” Kharge said, drawing laughter and applause from his audience.
“I’ve been seeing that votes are sought in the name of Modiji, be it municipality elections, corporation elections or state elections…Ask for votes in the name of the candidate. Is Modi going to come and work at the municipality? Is he going to help you in times of your need,” Mallikarjun Kharge asked.
Mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new slogan of “I developed Gujarat”, the Congress president said, “Former leaders of the Congress have contributed in the development of Gujarat, former Prime Minister Morarji Desai has contributed in the development of Gujarat, how one can forget this, over and above this people of Gujarat has contributed in the development of Gujarat.”
BJP slams Mallikarjun Kharge
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra slammed Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge for comparing PM Modi to ‘Ravan’. Sambit Patra, on Tuesday, claimed that such language is not appropriate for the “son of Gujarat.” He further said, “It is condemnable and shows Congress’ mindset. It’s an insult not just to PM Modi, but to every Gujarati, to Gujarat.”
Patra further accused the Congress party of dividing the country and said that the ‘Tukde Tukde gang’ is dividing the country and has abused PM Modi.
“It is an appeal to all Gujaratis that the party whose president has insulted Modi should be taught a lesson. Gujaratis should come out of their homes in a democratic way and take revenge by voting against Congress,” he said.
Amit Malviya, who heads the BJP’s IT Cell, shared the video and slammed Congress for insulting “Gujarat and it’s son”. He tweeted, “Unable to take the heat of Gujarat election, pushed to the fringe, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge loses control over his words, calls Prime Minister Narendra Modi “Ravan”. From “Maut ka Saudagar” to “Ravan”, Congress continues to insult Gujarat and it’s son…”
The tweet referred to former Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s controversial “Maut ka Saudagar (merchant of death)” comment during the 2007 Gujarat election, targeting PM Modi over the 2002 riots.
BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that Congress has abused the PM and ‘Gareeb Samaj’ more than 80 times.
“After “aukat dikha denge” by Madhusudan Mistry now Kharge ji crosses the line – calls PM Modi Ravan! Recently he had used more objectionable words. Congress has abused PM and Gareeb Samaj more than 80 times Maut Ka Saudagar to Ravan to Neech to Hitler Ki maut!,” said Poonawalla.
Gujarat will vote on December 1 and 4 and the results will be declared on December 8.
